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4 expression

- II – [2006- ASSEMBLY]
The Samahan Ng Mga Mahihirap (SM) filed with the Office of the City Mayor" of Manila an
application for a permit to hold a rally on Mendiola Street on September 5, 2006 from 10:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. to protest the political killings of journalists. However, the City Mayor denied their
application on the ground that a rally at the time and place applied for will block the traffic in the
San Miguel and Quiapo Districts. He suggested the Liwasang Bonifacio, which has been
designated a Freedom Park, as venue for the rally.
1. Does the SM have a remedy to contest the denial of its application for a permit? 2.5%
2. How should a wage distortion be settled?
3. Does the availability of a Freedom Park justify the denial of SM's application for a permit?
2.5%
4. Assuming that despite the denial of SM's application for a permit, its members hold a rally,
prompting the police to arrest them. '- Are the arrests without judicial warrants lawful?
2.5%

(10 POINTS) [2007-SPEECH]


The Destilleria Felipe Segundo is famous for its 15-year old rum, which it has produced and
marketed successfully for the past 70 years. Its latest commercial advertisement uses the line:
"Nakalikim ka na ba ng kinse anyos?" Very soon, activist groups promoting women's and
children's rights were up in arms against the advertisement.
a. All advertising companies in the Philippines have formed an association, the Philippine
Advertising Council, and have agreed to abide by all the ethical guidelines and decisions
by the Council. In response to the protests, the Council orders the pull-out of the "kinse
anyos" advertising campaign. Can Destilleria Felipe Segundo claim that its constitutional
rights are thus infringed?
b. One of the militant groups, the Amazing Amazonas, call on all government-owned and
controlled corporations (GOCC) to boycott any newspaper, radio or TV station that carries
the "kinse anyos" advertisements. They call on all government nominees in sequestered
corporations to block any advertising funds allocated for any such newspaper, radio or TV
station. Can the GOCCs and sequestered corporations validly comply?

(10 POINTS) [2007-SPEECH]


Batas Pambansa 880, the Public Assembly Law of 1985, regulates the conduct of all protest rallies
in the Philippines.
a. Salakay, Bayan! held a protest rally and planned to march from Quezon City to Luneta in
Manila. They received a permit from the Mayor of Quezon City, but not from the Mayor
of Manila. They were able to march in Quezon City and up to the boundary separating it
from the City of Manila. Three meters after crossing the boundary, the Manila Police
stopped them for posing a danger to public safety. Was this a valid exercise of police
power?
b. The security police of the Southern Luzon Expressway spotted a caravan of 20 vehicles,
with paper banners taped on their sides and protesting graft and corruption in government.
They were driving at 50 kilometers per hour in a 40-90 kilometers per hour zone. Some
banners had been blown off by the wind, and posed a hazard to other motorists. They were
stopped by the security police. The protesters then proceeded to march instead, sandwiched
between the caravan vehicles. They were also stopped by the security force. May the
security police validly stop the vehicles and the marchers?

- XVI – [2008-SPEECH]
Nationwide protest have erupted over rising gas prices, including disruptive demonstrations in
many universities throughout the country. The Metro Manila State University, a public university,
adopted a university-wide circular prohibiting public mass demonstrations and rallies within the
campus. Offended by the circular,militant students spread word that on the following Friday, all
students were to wear black T-shirt as a symbols of their protest both against high gas prices and
the university ban on demonstrations. The effort was only moderately successful, with around 30%
of the students heeding the call. Nonetheless, university officials were outraged and compelled the
students leaders to explain why they should not be expelled for violating the circular against
demonstrations.

The student leaders approached you for legal advice. They contended that they should not be
expelled since they did not violate the circular, their protest action being neither a demonstrator
nor a rally since all they did was wear black T-shirts. What would you advise the students? (6%)

XV [2009]
The KKK Television Network (KKK-TV) aired the documentary, "Case Law: How the Supreme
Court Decides," without obtaining the necessary permit required by P.D. 1986. Consequently, the
Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) suspended the airing of KKK-
TV programs. MTRCB declared that under P.D. 1986, it has the power of prior review over all
television programs, except "newsreels" and programs "by the Government", and the subject
documentary does not fall under either of these two classes. The suspension order was ostensibly
based on Memorandum Circular No. 98-17 which grants MTRCB the authority to issue such an
order.
KKK-TV filed a certiorari petition in court, raising the following issues:
a. The act of MTRCB constitutes "prior restraint" and violates the constitutionally guaranteed
freedom of expression; (3%) and
b. While Memorandum Circular No. 98-17 was issued and published in a newspaper of
general circulation, a copy thereof was never filed with the Office of the National Register
of the University of the Philippines Law Center. (2%)
Resolve the foregoing issues, with reasons.

XXIV [2010]
Compare and contrast “overbreadth doctrine” from “void-forvagueness” doctrine. (5%)

(11) An example of a content based restraint on free speech is a regulation prescribing [2011]
(A) maximum tolerance of pro-government demonstrations.
(B) a no rally-no permit policy.
(C) when, where, and how lawful assemblies are to be conducted.
(D) calibrated response to rallies that have become violent.

(48) An ordinance prohibits "notorious street gang members" from loitering in public places. The
police are to disperse them or, if they refuse, place them under arrest. The ordinance enumerates
which police officers can make arrest and defines street gangs, membership in them, and public
areas. The ordinance was challenged for being vague regarding the meaning of "notorious street
gang members." Is the ordinance valid? [2011]
(A) No, it leaves the public uncertain as to what conduct it prohibits.
(B) No, since it discriminates between loitering in public places and loitering in private places.
(C) Yes, it provides fair warning to gang members prior to arrest regarding their unlawful conduct.
(D) Yes, it is sufficiently clear for the public to know what acts it prohibits.

(80) Executive Secretary Chua issued an order prohibiting the holding of rallies along Mendiola
because it hampers the traffic flow to Malacanang. A group of militants questioned the order for
being unconstitutional and filed a case against Secretary Chua to restrain him from enforcing the
order. Secretary Chua raised state immunity from suit claiming that the state cannot be sued
without its consent. Is the claim correct? [2011]
(A) No, public officers may be sued to restrain him from enforcing an act claimed to be
unconstitutional.
(B) Yes, the order was not a proprietary act of the government.
(C) No, only the president may raise the defense of immunity from suit.
(D) Yes, Secretary Chua cannot be sued for acts done in pursuance to his public office.

35. In the hierarchy of civil liberties, which right occupies the highest preferred position: [2012-
Set A]
a. right to academic freedom;
b. right to a balanced and healthful ecology;
c. right to freedom of expression and of assembly;
d. right to equal health.
38. The complementing regime that best characterizes the guarantees of freedom of speech and of
the press are: [2012-Set A]
a. prior punishment and moderate punishment;
b. prior censorship and subsequent remedies;
c. no prior restraint and subsequent punishment;
d. no prior restraint and no subsequent punishment.
A criminal statute that "fails to give a person of ordinary intelligence fair notice that his
contemplated conduct is forbidden by statute" is: [2012-Set A]
e. void for fair notice;
f. void for arbitrariness;
g. void for vagueness;
h. void conclusively

"Chilling effect" is a concept used in the area of constitutional litigation affecting: [2012-Set A]
i. protected speech;
j. protected executive privilege;
k. protected legislative discretion;
l. protected judicial discretion.
In the law of libel and protected speech, a person who, by his accomplishments, fame, or mode of
living, or by adopting a profession or calling which gives the public a legitimate interest in his
doings, his affairs, and his character, has become a: [2012-Set A]
a. public figure;
b. celebrity;
c. public official;
d. de facto public officer.
Which one of the following is not a proper test in cases of challenges to governmental acts that
may violate protected speech: [2012-Set A]
e. clear and present danger;
f. balancing of interests;
g. reasonable relation;
h. dangerous tendency.
Commercial speech is entitled to: [2012-Set A]
i. more protection compared to other constitutionally guaranteed expression;
j. equal protection compared to other constitutionally guaranteed expression;
k. lesser protection compared to other constitutionally guaranteed expression;
l. none of the above.
No liability can attach to a false, defamatory statement if it relates to official conduct, unless the
public official concerned proves that the statement was with knowledge that it was false or with
reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. This is known as what rule? [2012-Set A]
m. libel malice rule;
n. actual malice rule;
o. malice in fact rule;
p. legal malice rule.

VIII. [2012-Set B]
a. What is the doctrine of "overbreath"? In what context can it be correctly applied? Not
correctly applied? Explain (5%)
b. What is the doctrine of "void for vagueness"? In what context can it be correctly applied?
Not correctly applied? Explain (5%)

IX. [2012-Set B]
In a protest rally' along Padre Faura Street, Manila, Pedrong Pula took up the stage and began
shouting "kayong mga kurakot kayo! Magsi-resign na kayo! Kung hindi, manggugulo kami dito!"
("you corrupt officials, you better resign now, or else we will cause trouble here!") simultaneously,
he brought out a rock the size of a· fist and pretended to hurl it at the flagpole area of a government
building. He did not actually throw the rock.
a. Police officers who were monitoring the situation immediately approached Pedrong Pula
and arrested him. He was prosecuted for seditious speech and was convicted. On appeal,
Pedrong Pula argued he was merely exercising his freedom of speech and freedom of
expression guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Decide with reasons. (5%)
b. What is "commercial speech"? Is it entitled to constitutional protection? What must be
shown in order for government to curtail "commercial speech"? Explain. (3%)
c. What are the two (2) basic prohibitions of the freedom of speech and of the press clause?
Explain. (2%)

X. [2012-Set B]
a. What do you understand by the term "heirarchy of civil liberties"? Explain. (5%)
b. Distinguish fully between the "free exercise of religion clause" and the "non-establishment
of religion clause". (3%)

II. Offended by the President's remarks that the Bureau of Customs is a pit of misfits and the
corrupt, the Bureau of Customs Employees Association composed of 3,000 workers seeks your
legal advice on how best to protest what it views to be the President's baseless remarks. [2013]
A prudent legal advice is that __________. (1%)
(A) employees can go on mass leave of absence for one week
(B) employees can march and rally at Mendiola every Monday
(C) employees can barricade the gates of the Port of Manila at South Harbor and call for the
resignation of the incumbent Commissioner of Customs
(D) employees can wear black arm bands and pins with the word "UNFAIR" inscribed
(E) None of the above can legally be done.

X. [2014]
The void-for-vagueness doctrine is a concept which means that: (1%)
(A) if a law is vague, then it must be void
(B) any law which could not be understood by laymen is a nullity
(C) if a law is incomprehensible to ordinary people such that they do not really know what is
required or prohibited, then the law must be struck down
(D) a government regulation that lacks clear standards is nonsensical and useless as a guide for
human conduct
(E) clarity in legal language is a mandate of due process.

XI. [2014]
In keeping with the modern age of instant and incessant information and transformation, Congress
passed Cybercrime Prevention Act to regulate access to and use of the amenities of the cyberspace.
While ostensibly the law is intended to protect the interests of society, some of its provisions were
also seen as impermissibly invading and impairing widely cherished liberties of the people
particularly the freedom of expression. Before the law could even be implemented, petitions were
filed in the Supreme Court questioning said provisions by people who felt threatened, for
themselves as well as for the benefit of others who may be similarly affected but not minded
enough to challenge the law. The Solicitor General countered that there is no basis for the exercise
of the power of judicial review since there has yet been no violation of the law, and therefore, there
is no actual case or controversy to speak of, aside from the fact that the petitioners have no locus
standi since they do not claim to be in imminent danger of being prosecuted under the law. Can
the Court proceed to decide the case even if the law has not yet become effective? (4%)

XIV. [2014]
The guarantee of freedom of expression signifies: (1%)
(A) absolute freedom to express oneself
(B) freedom from prior restraint
(C) right to freely speak on anything without limitations
(D) the right of the government to regulate speech
(E) the right of broadcast stations to air any program
XV. [2014]
Allmighty Apostles is a relatively new religious group and movement with fast-growing
membership. One time, DeepThroat, an investigative reporter, made a research and study as to
what the group’s leader, Maskeraid was actually doing. DeepThroat eventually came up with the
conclusion that Maskeraid was a phony who is just fooling the simple-minded people to part with
their money in exchange for the promise of eternal happiness in some far -away heaven. This was
published in a newspaper which caused much agitation among the followers of Maskeraid. Some
threatened violence against DeepThroat, while some others already started destroying properties
while hurting those selling the newspaper. The local authorities, afraid of the public disorder that
such followers might do, decided to ban the distribution of the newspaper containing the article.
DeepThroat went to court complaining about the prohibition placed on the dissemination of his
article. He claims that the act of the authorities partakes of the nature of heckler’s veto, thus a
violation of the guaranty of press freedom. On th e other hand, the authorities counter that the act
was necessary to protect the public order and the greater interest of the community. If you were
the judge, how would you resolve the issue? (4%)
XVI. [2014]
The overbreadth doctrine posits that the government: (1%)
(A) must know the extent of its power
(B) when it exercises too much power it is like someone with bad breath – it is not healthy to
society
(C) can enact laws which can reach outside its borders, like long -arm statues
(D) the government is prohibited in banning unprotected speech if a substantial amount of
protected speech is restrained or chilled in the process

XIX. [2014]
Surveys Galore is an outfit involved in conducting nationwide surveys. In one such survey, it asked
the people about the degree of trust and confidence they had in several institutions of the
government. When the results came in, the judiciary was shown to be less trusted than most of the
government offices. The results were then published by the mass media. Assension, a trial court
judge, felt particularly offended by the news. He then issued a show-cause order against Surveys
Galore directing the survey entity to explain why it should not be cited in contempt for coming up
with such a survey and publishing the results which were so unflattering and degrading to the
dignity of the judiciary. Surveys Galore immediately assailed the show-cause order of Judge
Assension, arguing that it is violative of the constitutional guaranty of freedom of expression. Is
Surveys Galore’s petition meritorious? (4%)

When is a facial challenge to the constitutionality of a law on the ground of violation of the Bill of
Rights traditionally allowed? Explain your answer. (3%) [2015]

-VI- [2016]
Pornographic materials in the form of tabloids, magazines and other printed materials, proliferate
and are being sold openly in the streets of Masaya City. The City Mayor organized a task force
which confiscated these materials. He then ordered that the materials be burned in public.
Dominador, publisher of the magazine, "Plaything", filed a suit, raising the following
constitutional issues: (a) the confiscation of the materials constituted an illegal search and seizure,
because the same was done without a valid search warrant; and (b) the confiscation, as well as the
proposed destruction of the materials, is a denial of the right to disseminate information, and thus,
violates the constitutional right to freedom of expression. Is either or both contentions proper?
Explain your answer. (5%)

5 religion
- XV – [2008]
The principal of Jaena High School, a public school wrote a letter to the parents and guardians of
all the school's pupils, informing them that the school was willing to provide religious instruction
to its Catholic students during class hours, through a Catholic priest. However, students who
wished to avail of such religious instruction needed to secure the consent of their parents and
guardians in writing.
a. Does the offer violate the constitutional prohibition againts the establishment of religion?
(3%)
b. the parents of evangelical Christian students, upon learning of the offer, demanded that
they too be entitled to have their children instructed in their own religious faith during class
hours. The principal, a devout Catholic, rejected the request. As counsel for the parents of
the evangelical students, how would you argue in support of their position? (3%)

XV. The separation of Church and State is most clearly violated when __________. (1%)
(A) the State funds a road project whose effect is to make a church more accessible to its adherents
(B) the State declares the birthplace of a founder of a religious sect as a national historical site
(C) the State expropriates church property in order to construct an expressway that, among others,
provides easy access to the Church's main cathedral
(D) the State gives vehicles to bishops to assist them in church-related charitable projects
(E) the State allows prayers in schools for minor children without securing the prior consent of
their parents

XVI [2009]
a. Angelina, a married woman, is a Division Chief in the Department of Science and
Technology. She had been living with a married man, not her husband, for the last fifteen
(15) years. Administratively charged with immorality and conduct prejudicial to the best
interest of the service, she admits her live-in arrangement, but maintains that this conjugal
understanding is in conformity with their religious beliefs. As members of the religious
sect, Yahweh's Observers, they had executed a Declaration of Pledging Faithfulness which
has been confirmed and blessed by their Council of Elders. At the formal investigation of
the administrative case, the Grand Elder of the sect affirmed Angelina's testimony and
attested to the sincerity of Angelina and her partner in the profession of their faith. If you
were to judge this case, will you exonerate Angelina? Reasons. (3%)

b. Meanwhile, Jenny, also a member of Yahweh's Observers, was severely disappointed at


the manner the Grand Elder validated what she considered was an obviously immoral
conjugal arrangement between Angelina and her partner. Jenny filed suit in court, seeking
the removal of the Grand Elder from the religious sect on the ground that his act in
supporting Angelina not only ruined the reputation of their religion, but also violated the
constitutional policy upholding the sanctity of marriage and the solidarity of the family.
Will Jenny's case prosper? Explain your answer. (2%)

9. The Constitution provides that the "separation of church and state shall be inviolable." This is
implemented most by the constitutional principles embodied in: [2012-Set A]
a. the free exercise clause;
b. the non-establishment clause;
c. the freedom of religious belief clause;
d. the freedom of religion clause.

39. The free exercise and non-establishment clauses pertain to which right under the Bill of Rights:
[2012-Set A]
q. liberty of movement;
r. liberty of abode;
s. religion;
t. life and liberty.

The Gangnam Style’s Witnesses (whose tenets are derogatory to the Catholic Church), applied for
a permit to use the public plaza and kiosk to hold their religious meeting on the occasion of their
founding anniversary. Mayor Lebron allowed them to use the northwestern part of the plaza but
not the kiosk (which is a few meters away from the Catholic church). Members of the Gangnam
Style Witnesses claim that the act of Mayor Lebron is a violation of their freedom of assembly and
religion. Is this correct? [2012]
u. No, because this is valid exercise of police power;
v. Yes, because the plaza being of public use can be used by anybody regardless of
religious belief;
w. No, because historical experience shows that peace and order may be disturbed
whenever two opposing religious groups or beliefs expound their dogmas;
x. Yes, because there is no clear and present danger in holding a religious meeting by
another religious group near a catholic church.

-XV- [2016]
Congress passed a bill appropriating PlOO-billion. Part of the money is to be used for the purchase
of a 200-hectare property in Antipolo. The rest shall be spent for the development of the area and
the construction of the Universal Temple for All the World's Faiths (UTAW-F). When completed,
the site will be open, free of charge, to all religions, beliefs, and faiths, where each devotee or
believer shall be accommodated and treated in a fair and equal manner, without distinction, favor,
or prejudice. There will also be individual segments or zones in the area which can be used for the
conduct of whatever rituals, services, sacraments, or ceremonials that may be required by the
customs or practices of each particular religion. The President approved the bill, happy in the
thought that this could start the healing process of our wounded country and encourage people of
varied and oftenconflicting faiths to live together in harmony and in peace.
If the law is questioned on the ground that it violates Sec. 5, Article III of the Constitution that "no
law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,"
how will you resolve the challenge? Explain. (5%)
-XIX- [2016]
Fernando filed an administrative complaint against his co-teacher, Amelia, claiming that the latter
is living with a married man who is not her husband. Fernando charged Amelia with committing
"disgraceful and immoral conduct" in violation of the Revised Administrative Code and, thus,
should not be allowed to remain employed in the government. Amelia, on the other hand, claims
that she and her partner are members of a religious sect that allows members of the congregation
who have been abandoned by their respective spouses to enter marital relations under a
"Declaration of Pledging Faithfulness." Having made such Declaration, she argues that she cannot
be charged with committing immoral conduct for she is entitled to free exercise of religion under
the Constitution.
[a] Is Amelia administratively liable? State your reasons briefly. (2.5%)
[b] Briefly explain the concept of"benevolent neutrality." (2.5%)

6 abode and travel


I. [2012-Set B]
Mr. Violet was convicted by the RTC of Estafa. On appeal, he filed with the Court of Appeals a
Motion to Fix Bail for Provisional Liberty Pending Appeal. The Court of Appeals granted the
motion and set a bail amount in the sum of Five (5) Million Pesos, subject to the conditions that
he secure "a certification/guaranty from the Mayor of the place of his residence that he is a resident
of the area and that he will remain to be a resident therein until final judgment is rendered or in
case he transfers residence, it must be with prior notice to the court". Further, he was ordered to
surrender his passport to the Division Clerk of Court for safekeeping until the court orders its
return.
a. Mr. Violet challenges the conditions imposed by the Court of Appeals as violative of his
liberty of abode and right to travel. Decide with reasons. (5%)
b. Are "liberty of abode" and "the right to travel" absolute rights?
Explain. What are the respective exception/s to each right if any? (5%)

7 information
XIV [2009]
The Philippine Government is negotiating a new security treaty with the United States which could
involve engagement in joint military operations of the two countries' armed forces. A loose
organization of Filipinos, the Kabataan at Matatandang Makabansa (KMM) wrote the Department
of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) demanding disclosure
of the details of the negotiations, as well as copies of the minutes of the meetings. The DFA and
the DND refused, contending that premature disclosure of the offers and counter-offers between
the parties could jeopardize on-going negotiations with another country. KMM filed suit to compel
disclosure of the negotiation details, and be granted access to the records of the meetings, invoking
the constitutional right of the people to information on matters of public concern.
a. Decide with reasons. (3%)
b. Will your answer be the same if the information sought by KMM pertains to contracts
entered into by the Government in its proprietary or commercial capacity? Why or why
not? (3%)
Which one is NOT a recognized limitation to the right to information on matters of public concern:
[2012-Set A]
y. national security matters;
z. trade secrets and banking transactions;
aa. criminal matters or classified law enforcement matters;
bb. government research data used as a basis for policy development.

XII. [2014]
The Court had adopted the practice of announcing its decision in important, controversial or
interesting cases the moment the votes had been taken among the justices, even as the final printed
decision and separate opinions are not yet available to the public. In a greatly anticipated decision
in a case of wide-ranging ramifications, the voting was close – 8 for the majority, while 7 were for
the other side. After the Court had thus voted, it issued a press release announcing the result, with
the advice that the printed copy of the decision, together with the separate opinions, were to be
issued subsequently. The following day, however, one of the members of the Court died. The Court
then announced that it would deliberate anew on the case since apparently the one who died
belonged to the majority. Citizens for Transparency, a group of civic-spirited professionals and
ordinary citizens dedicated to transparency and accountability in the government, questioned the
act of the Court. The petitioners claimed the decision had already been validly adopted and
promulgated. Therefore, it could no longer be recalled by the Court. At the same time, the group
also asked the Court to disclose to the public the original decision and the separate opinions of the
magistrates, together with what they had deliberated on just before they came up with the press
release about the 8-7 decision. (6%)
(A) Was the announced 8-7 decision already validly promulgated and thus not subject to recall?
(B) If the decision was not yet finalized at the time when the justice died, could it still be
promulgated?
(C) If the decision was still being finalized, should the Court release to the public the majority
decision and the separate opinions as originally announced, together with their deliberations on
the issues?

18 involuntary servitude
(63) Involuntary servitude may be required as [2011]
(A) part of rehabilitation of one duly charged with a crime.
(B) substitute penalty for one who has been duly tried for a crime.
(C) punishment for a crime where one has been duly convicted.
(D) condition precedent to one's valid arraignment.

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